Participação do Programa Bolsa Família : a estrutura do Cras Importa?

Abstract

This study aims to contribute to the literature on social programs, specifically analyzing how the structure of the Centros de Referência de Assistência Social (CRAS) affects the participation of the Program Bolsa Família (PBF). The methodology used to measure this effect will be the Probit model, the data come from Cadastro Único and SUAS Census, both also made avaible by the Ministério da Cidadania for the years 2016 and 2018. In addition to the measurement of CRAS the model will be controlled by family and individual characteristics. IDCras is a development indicator of CRAS, wich is calculated trough physical dimensions, human resources, and services. The results demonstrate that the IDCras has a positive effect on the participation of the PBF in the years 2016 and 2018. However, in those years, when analyzing the index alone and later with the isertion of variables of individual characteristics the index remains negative in the participation of the PBF. Although, with family variables, in 2016 and 2018 the index becomes positive on the participation of the PBF. In 2017 we have an atypical situation, where in all models the effect of IDCras had a negative effect on the participation of the PBF, this ocurred due to some unobservable factor not controlled in the Probit model. In view of the current situation in Brazil, which is going trough fiscal problems, requiring spending cuts in several areas, the work aims to verify whether a better CRAS structure as mensured by IDCras contributes to vulnerability in the Bolsa Família Program, contributing to the analysis of future public policies aimed at the most vulnerable strata of society.